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Abby and the Umbrella

Abby loves the rain. She loves mud puddles and swimming pools. She loves granddaddy’s pond and the bird bath. Abby really, really loves water -- so long as it doesn’t involve a bath. Abby doesn’t like a bath at all.

One day Mama announced that they needed to go and check on the cows. Granddaddy wasn’t feeling well so it was up to Mama, Abby and Sammy to make sure the cows were okay. Abby walked outside with Mama, staying real close. She didn’t want to get left behind.

Mama had a new stick in her hand. Abby wasn’t too worried about it. Mama always carries a stick to help her balance as she walks on the uneven ground.

Mama paused just before she left the covered patio, lifted the stick up and pushed a button. It popped up with a quick snap. Abby jumped real high and almost knocked Sammy down as she rushed back inside.

Sammy started laughing. Mama just shook her head.

“Abby, what’s wrong? Don’t you like my umbrella?”

“I don’t like umbrellas,” Abby sobbed.

“It won’t hurt you,” Mama said. “It’s to help keep the rain off my head. I don’t like the water as much as you do.”

Abby shook her head and backed up a little further. “I’m not going anywhere with that umbrella.”

Mama sighed deeply and pulled the umbrella closed. “Okay. I’ll get my slicker.”

She pulled off her boots and headed inside. Pretty soon she was back wearing a bright blue coat. Abby wasn’t sure she liked that bright blue coat but it surely was better than the umbrella.

Until Mama pulled the hood up and covered her head. Abby shrieked and almost tore the screen door down as she rushed back inside.

“Mama’s turned into a big blue monster,” she cried.

This time even Mama laughed with Sammy.

Mama pushed the hood back and knelt down. “Come here, baby girl,” she said.

Abby slowly eased forward. Mama wrapped her arms around Abby, surrounding her baby girl in bright blue. “Oh, Abby. This coat won’t hurt you any more than the umbrella would. It’s to help keep Mama dry while we go and check on the cows.”

“It looks so scary,” Abby sobbed, Like a monster!”

“But that doesn’t mean it is. This coat wouldn’t hurt you. It can’t. Besides, Mama wouldn’t let it. Don’t you know that?”

Abby nodded as Mama dried her tears.

Mama stood up and pulled the hood up once again. Only this time Abby wasn’t afraid. It was just Mama in a bright blue coat.

Abby, Sammy and Mama stepped out into the rain and headed toward the barn. It was time to check the cows and to frolic in the rain.
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